Sacramento Kings game wrap: Despite Amazing Second Half Comeback Kings Fall to Jazz 128-120

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Despite Amazing Second Half Comeback Kings Fall to Jazz 128-120

Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, right, defends against Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) during the first half at Salt Lake City on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (43-28) took on the Utah Jazz (35-36) Monday night at Vivint Arena. They are currently having some great success on the road winning three in a row. The Jazz ended the Kings short streak with an eight point win 128-120. .

What the Kings saw in the first quarter was somewhat of a shocker with the Kings falling behind 40-19. They did win the second quarter 33-28 but trailed at the half 68-52. Sacramento had a miserable shooting first half and the Kings had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Sacramento made an amazing comeback in the third quarter. After trailing by as much as 25 points they had tied up this game at 88 with just over three minutes left in the quarter. The Sacramento offense had come to life in a big way erasing the huge lead the Jazz had built. After three quarters this game was tied at 95.

The Kings went into the fourth quarter and all eyes would turn to the NBA’s number one fourth quarter clutch player De’Aaron Fox. At the four minute mark this game was tied at 113 with both teams fighting for the lead. With 2:18 left in the game we had a one point game in favor of the Jazz 116-115. Utah would waltz away with this game.

The comeback that the Kings had was amazing but it was that deficit in the first quarter that ultimately lost this game for them. Fox had an amazing second half and finished with 37 points. The Kings only had six turnovers and down the stretch did not take advantage of late fourth quarter open shots and offensive rebounds.

Tuesday night the Kings will take on the Boston Celtics in Sacramento. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: 11 game road skid is over; Warriors Get Hot in Fourth Beat Rockets 121-108

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Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) shoots as Houston Rockets’ Usman Garuba (16) defends during the second half at the Toyota Center in Houston on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Get Hot in Fourth Beat Rockets 121-108

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors (37-36) took on the Rockets 18-54) in Houston at the Toyota Center and came away with a 121-108. The Rockets sit at the bottom of the Western Conference but have beaten some very good teams of late they even had a three winning steak before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday 117-107 . The Warriors have everything to play for with playoff ramifications at risk. They do not want to have to play in so the win tonight was an additional must win.

The Warriors had a decent start but could not put much distance between themselves and the Rockets. Golden State won the opening quarter 26-21 but the second quarter was dead even at 29. The Warriors had a slim lead at the half 55-50.

The third quarter was a good one for the Rockets. This game was tied for much of the first half of the quarter. Houston refused to go away and with under six minutes left in the third had taken the lead 69-67. Both Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole got banged up in the quarter and Curry actually left the floor taking a breather on the bench.

The Warriors were unable to take any kind of a significant lead. The turnovers were mounting with 17 through three quarters. The Warriors led 84-80 after three. Houston did win the third quarter 30-29 and every starter for Houston had double digits.

The Warriors went on a nice run in the fourth quarter and two minutes into the quarter had a 95-87 lead. At 8:55 the Warriors had their biggest lead of the night 98-87. Golden State continued to extend their lead and with Curry back on the floor took a 102-89 lead.

With just over three minutes left in the quarter, the Rockets had pulled to within ten points 111-101. The Warriors went on a tear in the final minutes winning the game and snapping an 11 game road skid. This was the fourth win over Houston without a loss this season.

The Warriors won this game despite the 20 turnovers that resulted in 25 Rocket points. Curry finished with 30 points and Klay Thompson was right behind him with 29. Jonathan Kuminga had 17 off the bench. This was a badly needed win for Golden State with only 10 games left in the season.

On Wednesday night the Warriors will travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: 11 straight road loses and piling up as Warriors face Houston tonight

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. defends against Golden State Warriors center Draymond Green (23) during the first half at Memphis on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, 11 consecutive road loses for the Golden State Warriors (36-36) number 11 coming last Saturday night to the Memphis Grizzlies (43-27) 133-111 in Memphis. Now a 7-29 road record.

#2 On Friday night the Warriors were without Draymond Green against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter the Warriors were within one possession a couple times but couldn’t seal deal and lost that game by eight points 127-119. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after that game “It’s mental” and “were competing, were playing well.”

#3 The game in Memphis Saturday had the Warriors Klay Thompson and Grizzlie Dillion Brooks trading words and gestures in the closing minutes in the fourth quarter. Thompson put up four fingers indicating four World Championships while sitting on the Warriors bench all the while the Brooks from the Grizzlies bench was yelling “you suck” to Thompson.

#4 One other note the Grizzlies Jaren Jackson led the Grizzlies on Saturday with 31 points with four blocks who was key in the Grizzlies win. Desmond Bane added 26 points, Brooks had 18 points. The Grizzlies came on to finish off the Warriors in the fourth quarter.

#5 The Warriors are in Houston to face the Rockets (18-52) tonight the Rockets have had their struggles this season but have won three straight before going into this game tonight they did snap the brief streak with a loss on Sunday. How do you see the match up between these two teams for a 5:00pm tip off at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda come off win going into Colorado Tuesday

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The San Jose Barracuda and Dallas Stars battled to a one goal Barracuda win in overtime at Tech CU Arena in San Jose on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 In what was a fun game for the fans at Tech CU Arena the Barracuda took on the Stars once again and beat them this time by a final of 5-4 in overtime.

#2 Scoring in this game did not take long to get to as on a turnover on a breakout San Jose pounced on a loose puck and Brandon Coe finished beautifully making it 1-0. On the goal Kyle Criscuolo was awarded an assist which was the 200th point of his AHL career.

#3 The play started with Texas trying to get out of their zone and the puck being kept in by San Jose. On the keep in left wing Jacob Peterson picked up the puck and dished it to Patrick Sieloff in the slot who sniped it home sending Tech CU Arena into chaos.

#4 San Jose’s next game will be on the road against the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.

#5 Marko, before we let you go the talk and chatter ran hot and heavy even after the San Jose Sharks loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday when Sharks goaltender James Reimer who did not play in Saturday’s game said that he would not skate with a pride sweater on during pre game warm ups. Reimer is the second noted NHL player refusing to wear the pride jersey the first being the Philadelphia Flyers Ivan Provorov who also refused to wear the pride sweater during pre game warm ups back on Jan 18th. That said how will Reimer’s refusal to wear the pride sweater go over as his contract runs out this year in his seeking work in the NHL?

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Rebels’ stingy defense ends Cardinal tournament run 54-49

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Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) drives to the basket against Mississippi forward Madison Scott, right during the second half of a second-round at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Mar 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, March 17, 2023

A highly successful women’s basketball season came to an end for Stanford Sunday, as the No. 1-seeded Cardinal fell to No. 8-seed Mississippi 54-49 in the second round of the Seattle 4 Region tournament in a game played at Maples Pavilion.

Stanford finished its season 29-6, while the Rebels improved to 25-8 as they advance to the Sweet 16. The loss snapped the Cardinal’s streak of 14 consecutive years reaching the regional round.

“I thought our team really battled in the second half,” Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer said in the postgame media session. “We kind of dug ourselves a hole, but you know, we battled back. We tied it up and we had an opportunity to win the game.

“I think Mississippi is a very experienced and very determined team. They made plays down the stretch that we didn’t make.”

Cameron Brink missed the Cardinal’s NCAA tournament opener against Sacred Heart with what was described as “a non-COVID-19 illness.” She played 34 minutes, scoring a team-high 20 points along with 13 rebounds, seven blocks and two steals. Brink also hit 10-of-10 free throws.

“I think I just – I felt sick,” Brink said. “I think I’m still getting back to my normal self but I definitely got a little winded throughout the game, but I tried my best.”

Senior Haley Jones had 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals in her final game for Stanford.

“I think Ole Miss is a great defensive team,” Jones said. “And we heard them say that they prided themselves on their defense. They packed it in their suitcase, and they were going to come in and execute that plan. I think they did a great job.

“They (Mississippi) were contesting shots in a great way. But we missed a lot of shots that we usually make, which is disappointing.”

Angel Baker was the top scorer for Ole Miss with 13 points, followed by Marquesha Davis with 12 and Madison Scott with 11. Davis had four of the Rebels’ nine steals, and Rita Igbokwe grabbed eight rebounds in 17 minutes.

The Rebels, who led 29-20 at halftime, never trailed and scored 24 points off 21 Stanford turnovers. After Mississippi built a 49-41 lead with 5:47 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cardinal used an 8-0 run, capped by two Brink free throws, to tie the game at 49-49 with 1:15 left.

Scott sank a pair of free throws with 18 seconds remaining to put the Rebels back in front at 51-49. Three seconds later, after Jones turned the b ball over, Davis hit two free throws to increase the Ole Miss lead to 53-49. Myah Taylor stole the ball from Jones with 15 seconds remaining and sank 1 of 2 foul shots.

Mississippi will face 4-seed Texas or 5-seed Louisville in the regional in Seattle on Friday. The Longhorns and Cardinals play on Monday.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: World Baseball Classic- Cuba’s Baseball in Shambles

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United States’ Trea Turner hits a home run during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Cuba, Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Miami. (AP News photo)

World Baseball Classic: Cuba’s Baseball in Shambles

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

After 63 years of communism the government of Cuba has done what was almost impossible to predict just a few decades ago, their baseball is in total disarray.

Baseball was one of the few things left that the Cuban people could be proud of, but a dictatorship that has kept generations brainwashed to a radical ideology that doesn’t allows freedom of any sort, including private property or freedom of the press has finally taken its toll. Team Cuba was eliminated this Sunday in Miami by the US with a final score of 14-2.

For the first time since this tournament began in 2006, the Cuban team was allowed to have Cuban-born players that play in the US major leagues, like two of the most established players Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert who play for the Chicago White Sox. They both live in the US. The rest of the players will return to Cuba, maybe some will try to defect, and we will know soon enough.

A sellout crowd at Loan Depot Stadium in Miami was animated with the passion that these two nations have shared for baseball for over a century since the 1800s. The US merchant marines taught Cubans how to play this game and Cubans then taught much of Latin America how to play. FOX Sports 1 carried the game that showed many memorable images.

There was a fan seated behind the plate with a T-shirt with a picture of Che Guevara that had a line across and it read; “No Che here”! A dichotomy, because if the game were held in Havana, Cuba, and that fan would show up with that same T-shirt, first of all, he would have not been allowed to enter the stadium and probably would have spent the night in jail and will be labeled “an enemy of the State.”

But that is the difference between Democracy and Communism. Simple as that. FS 1 also showed a large blue banner that read “Abajo la Dictadura” trans- “Down with the Dictatorship”. Also, a Cuban flag that had written across something to the effect that baseball has left Cuba.

A few weeks ago Cuba finished last in the Caribbean Baseball Series. They even lost to the very small island of Curacao. Cuba ended last among the 8 teams in the same tournament that Cuba once dominated. Curacao is a small Dutch Caribbean island north of Venezuela.

Team Cuba’s hopes were high for the World Baseball Classic, but they were not a match for the United States who dominated and scored at will. Now the US will play for their second WBC title in a row and will face whoever wins Monday between Japan and México. The championship game is this Tuesday, March 21.

The once proud baseball country of Cuba has lost its best players who keep defecting to the US and are currently playing in the major leagues. That exodus of players will continue because Cuban baseball stars (the ones with the talent) know very well they will get paid here in the US Major Leagues, while in Cuba they are owned by the Cuban government.

It is nothing new that the dream of a baseball player is to ascend to the best leagues in the world and the major leagues offer the opportunity. Cuban players are no exception. If you are a great basketball player *wherever you are born” you dream to be in the NBA or a football player, you want to play in the NFL, and so on.

Now, Team Cuba after flying from Tokyo, Japan, to Miami, FL (USA) a trip of 7,500 miles, is on their way back from Miami to Havana, Cuba, a 50-minute flight. There is little doubt that so far 2023 has been a terrible year for the once proud Cuban baseball program, which is 100X100 sponsored by the Cuban government.

Cuba’s decline: Failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time. Finished last in the Caribbean Baseball Series and eliminated in the World Baseball Classic 2023.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen for all the play by play of 71 home games on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsbugh and read That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Roots game wrap: Oakland Fights Off RGV For A Draw

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Johnny Rodriguez (scored only goal tonight for Roots) Photo from Oakland Roots Instagram

Oakland Fights Off RGV For A Draw

By Troy Ewers

Second game of the Oakland Roots season is against the RGV FC Toros (Rio Grande Valley) in Rio Grande Valley. Last game Oakland lost to the defending USL Champs, San Antonio FC in a match that saw a combination of sloppy defense from the Roots and a couple lucky breaks for San Antonio and the spotlight this week was on the defense of Oakland looking more disciplined. In the first 15 minutes of this game, it looked like the same sloppy play as the week before.

In minute 14, RGV’s Jonathan Ricketts scores from a corner kick where Oakland’s back line loses track of their men allowing an easy goal for the Toros. This was the issue last game, so seeing this be the reason for Oakland to go down one this early was a red flag for anyone who supports the Roots.

After the goal RGV kept attacking Oakland’s defensive rotation scheme, but after 20 minutes momentum picked up for Oakland, they forced RGV’s goalkeeper Deric to make two high pressure saves on breakaway shots. Even though Oakland stayed on the offensive for the remainder of the first half, it was a stalemate nonetheless and the first half ended 1-0, Rio Grande Valley Toros.

The second half can be summed up in one word: Slow. Between seven yellow cards between both teams (Oakland with five and RGV with two) and both teams having an injury, the pace of the rest of this game was slow. Occasionally, Oakland would get big moments, like when Deric had to save three straight shots from Oakland’s forwards in minute 56, but not until the 80th minute any real action would happen.

82’, Oakland goes on a strong attack, with Rito taking the ball up the side and after a gorgeous breakaway pass to Johnny Rodriguez, Rodriguez taps the ball through Deric’s legs and there’s the equalizer, 1-1. The game would go on and frustration on both sides took hold.

Five of the seven yellow cards would come in the final ten minutes of this match, all the cards coming from these two teams making sketchy defensive decisions. In the last play of stoppage time, Oakland’s Trayvone Reid has an open shot to get a walk off victory for the Roots, but the ball rings off the post and the ball is cleared, game over, 1-1.

A tragic ending, but if you’re in the Oakland Roots’ dressing room, you’re happy with the amount of resilience this team has. It’s too early for “must win” games, but the effort shown by the Oakland Roots is a huge takeaway and huge morale booster going into next week’s home opener against Memphis. Only negative Oakland has to improve on going forward is not starting off so sloppy on defense.

Back to back games, I see a team scrambling and then maybe 20 minutes in, they turn on a switch and play aggressive, but disciplined soccer. If Oakland plays like they did after 20 minutes of this game, at the opening whistle of the next game, I can actually see a victory happening before April. Current Roots record: 0-1-1.

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Romo will retire as a Giant Mar 27th at Oracle Park; Mets concerned Nimmo and Quintana injured; plus more

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo will retire as a Giants during the last exhibition game against the Oakland A’s on Mon Mar 27, 2023 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Romo signed a minor league deal which will have him in uniform for the last time with the Giants. (photo by @MLBONFOX)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 It’s going to be a very special day for San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo who will retire as a Giants on Mon Mar 27th at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Romo a reliever was part of the 2012 and 2014 World Championship teams and was crucial in the closing role those seasons. Romo pitched for the Giants for nine seasons.

#2 Charlie just getting updates on the New York Mets centerfielder Brandon Nimmo and left hand pitcher Jose Quintana. Nimmo hurt his right ankle and woke up the next day with his right knee hurting. Nimmo underwent an MRI and it’s questionable if he’ll be able to play by opening day. Quintana had bone graft surgery to remove a benign lesion on his rib and is not expected back until July.

#3 Former Seattle Mariner great Ken Griffey Jr who is a Team USA coach put on a clinic during batting practice in front of Team USA at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Saturday. Sporting the traditional backward baseball cap Jr was launching a few into the bleachers to the roar of the Team USA players. He still has his skills.

#4 Charlie one of the risks of participating in the World Baseball Classic is players could get hurt and the Houston Astros Jose Altuve who was swinging the bats for Team Venezuela was no different taking a Team USA pitch from Daniel Bard right on the fingers of his right hand. Altuve hit the deck after getting hit and got help from the training staff and walked off the field to the clubhouse.

#5 Brown University a utility player made Division 1 history becoming the first woman to play in a NCAA Division 1 game as Olivia Pichardo ripped a grounder to first for an unassisted out but a history making moment saying it was a lot of fun and she was glad to get something out of her first at bat.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Back-and-forth game ends in overtime with Barracuda on top 5-4

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda. The Barracuda celebrate a goal against the Stars at Tech CU Arena.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- In what was a fun game for the fans at Tech CU Arena the Barracuda took on the Stars once again and beat them this time by a final of 5-4 in overtime.

Aaron Dell this time was between the pipes for San Jose while Dylan Wells got the start for Texas.

Scoring in this game did not take long to get to as on a turnover on a breakout San Jose pounced on a loose puck and Brandon Coe finished beautifully making it 1-0. On the goal Kyle Criscuolo was awarded an assist which was the 200th point of his AHL career.

After a successful penalty kills on both sides the Stars made a miscue defensively and Danil Gushchin grabbed the puck and sniped it home making it 2-0. Surprisingly enough Aaron Dell was given an assist on the goal along with Andrew Agozzino.

While on the power play San Jose made a mistake themselves leading to a goal for the Stars as Nicholas Caamano scored shorthanded.

That ended up being all the scoring in the first period with the shots finishing in favor of Texas at 11-9.

The second period saw San Jose’s offense get off to a quick start once again as just 1:34 in Tristen Robins scored his 12th goal of the season. That goal was enough to get Wells pulled as Remi Poirier was called on once again against the Barracuda.

That goalie pull seemed to light a fire under the Stars as just a little after the goal Riley Barber scored to make it a 3-2 game.

Texas continued their offensive momentum as Rhett Gardner scored getting his eight goal of the season and tying the game up at three.

The end of the second period saw tensions rise as a total of 27 penalty minutes was given out after a scrum broke out between the two teams. The scrum saw Ben Gleason and Patrick Holway drop the gloves while Jeffrey Viel was given a ten minute unsportsmanlike conduct.

At the end of the second period the shots favored the Stars 25-15.

The second period set up an exciting third period and it did not disappoint.

Kicking off the scoring on yet another defensive miscue San Jose was gifted yet another goal with this time Jacob Peterson scoring. It was his first goal with the Barracuda and was also against his former team.

The Stars did not call it quits and less than five minutes after the goal Barber scored his second goal of the game and tied the game back up at four.

After the goal once again the Stars and Barracuda got into it as 10:35 into the third as this time a total of 26 penalty minutes were given out.

That goal from Barber did end up being the last goal of regulation and that meant overtime between the two foes.

The shots at the end of regulation was tied between the two teams at 30-30.

Sometimes overtime can bring out the most unlikeliest heroes and this game did just that.

The play started with Texas trying to get out of their zone and the puck being kept in by San Jose. On the keep in Peterson picked up the puck and dished it to Patrick Sieloff in the slot who sniped it home sending Tech CU Arena into chaos.

That goal was Sieloff’s first of the season and couldn’t have come at a better time.

The three stars of the game were 1st: Patrick Sieloff 2nd: Jacob Peterson 3rd: Kyle Criscuolo

San Jose’s next game will be on the road against the Colorado Eagles on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m.

Kings Win A Third On the Road Beating Washington 132-118

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Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (9) passes the ball as Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) and guard De’Aaron Fox (5) defend during the first half the Capital One Center in DC on Sat Mar 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (43-27) are 2-0 on their latest road trip dismissing the Brooklyn Nets 101-96 and the Chicago Bulls (117-114). Saturday evening they took on the Washington Wizards (32-39) in the third game of this trip and came away with another road win 132-118. The Kings have had a terrific stretch in these latest games on the road and were looking for win number three in tonight’s game.

The Kings did fall behind in the opening quarter trailing with five minutes left 23-13. Despite that Sacramento turned this game around and led after the first twelve minutes 37-33. The Kings had 6 three pointers in the first quarter and Terrance Davis was driving the offense with some brilliant play.

The second quarter was highlighted by some great King defense. With 4:05 left in the half, the Kings had taken a ten point lead 61-51. The Wizards continued to play catch up but had cut the Kings lead to three points with 2:50 left in the half. Sacramento led after two quarters 71-60.

Domantas Sabonis led the offense with 18 points after two quarters. The Kings had hit twelve baskets from beyond the arc in the half and Terence Davis was 4 of 5 from downtown. The Kings really settled down after a slow start in this game. They only had two turnovers in the half and were 62.2% from the field and 66.7% from downtown.

The Kings continued to extend their lead in the third quarter and with 4:50 left in the quarter had a 92-79 lead. After three quarters the Kings led 104- 92. Sabonis continued to tear up the court offensively and defensively as did Terence Davis off the bench.

With 7:35 left in the game the Kings continued to dictate play leading 118-99. As the final quarter began to wind down the Kings displayed the defensive excellence that we have seen all season. The Kings were eyeing a franchise record as they went into the final 5:30 of the game. They had already hit 21 three’s; the record being 23. They did not break that record coming up just short with 22 three’s but recorded they’re 43rd win of the season.

Domantas Sabonis finished with 30 points and 9 rebounds and some excellence off the bench from Terence Davis (21 points) and Malik Monk (17 points). The Kings only had 9 turnovers. They won this game without starter Kevin Huerter which shows the depth and confidence that this team has right now. They have now won 7 road games in a row.

Monday night the Kings take on the Utah Jazz in another road game, their fourth, before returning home Tuesday to take on the Celtics. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.